Hospice Nurse Becomes the Patient After Near Death Experience

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Suzanne B. O’Brien, RN is now a Motivational Speaker and has trademarked and created an End Of Life Doula Training Program ™. The Doula Training Program ™ educates community volunteers to be a resource and support for individuals and their families during this precious time of their life.

The amazing global community response to this program reaffirms that we are all part of a loving human connection. Suzanne B. O'Brien RN

(PRWEB)March 04, 2014

Suzanne B. O’Brien, RN is now a Motivational Speaker and has trademarked and created an End Of Life Doula Training Program ™. The Doula Training Program ™ educates community volunteers to be a resource and support for individuals and their families during this precious time of their life.

As a hospice nurse for several years, my close friend for over 30 years, Suzanne B. O'Brien, RN decided to take a trip to Zimbabwe as a volunteer. Little did she know while caring for the sick and dying, she herself would come face to face with sickness and possibly her own death. The nurse had now become the patient as she suddenly developed unexplained debilitating symptoms.Upon returning home from Africa in October 2012, she awoke with an incredibly "stiff " neck, which eventually traveled into her head. Within a few weeks, the right side of her face became paralyzed. The nerves in her neck and head were so inflamed that the nerve hit the side of the canal causing intense pain and paralysis. "Suzanne is never one to complain, so I immediately called her mother Ellen and found out the situation was much worse than what Suzanne had described to me. I could hear and feel the desperation in her mother’s voice as she vowed to fight for her daughter's life," said Billing. Suzanne had trouble concentrating, blurred vision and was in pain 24/7. It had become so bad even brushing her teeth had become a chore. Her RN work was now reduced to an hour or two at a time before the pain took over. Eventually she had to quit her job as debts mounted over $50,000.

After several visits to the ER and numerous doctors, her deteriorating condition was still a complete mystery. She developed high blood pressure and was rushed to the ER to rule out a possible stroke. But stroke was a negative and the diagnosis was Lyme disease accompanied by Bell’s palsy. This would prove to be another mis-diagnosis.

After exhaustive research, her mother found Dr. Cahill an amazing humanitarian who has treated Presidents and Popes, and now promised to look at Suzanne. Suzanne went into Dr. Cahill’s office and described her symptoms. Within five minutes he said, “It sounds like a neurological parasite.” Her blood work came back positive for a brain parasite called Neurocysticercosis. Finally, this meant she could begin treatment.

"Suzanne has become my personal hero," said Billing. She believes everything happens for a reason and becomes an opportunity for growth. Even experiences that are so painful and seem unfair become “gifts". "I was amazed when she told me that over the past year as a result of her illness and not being able to work full time, she created an educational program teaching volunteers, family members and caregivers how to take care of a dying loved one at home," states Billing. She modeled the program after the “doulas” she had witnessed and learned about in Zimbabwe!

Suzanne is in negotiations with a publisher on a new book called "Positive Passings" and has been featured in several international articles, radio shows and can be seen on New York’s (WMHT) PBS Health Link with Benita Zahn which will air on April 10, 2014. . You can also visit her website at http://www.suzannebobrien.com/meetsuzanne.html.